464: 2024 Grammys, Dissected: Taylor, Miley, SZA, Tracy, Joni and More
Was this the year the awards got it correct? Guests: Caryn Ganz, Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
53m Feb 07, 2024
53m
463: Popcast (Deluxe): Will Taylor, SZA or Olivia Win Big at the Grammys?
A breakdown of the major categories and most interesting competitions at the 66th annual awards on Sunday.
1hr 7m Jan 31, 2024
1hr 7m
462: Popcast (Deluxe): Playboi Carti, Waxahatchee and 12 More to Watch
A breakdown of new albums and songs for 2024 (and a handful of possible but dubious releases).
52m Jan 24, 2024
52m
461: Pitchfork, the Early Years
With the music website’s future uncertain, Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie look back at its start.
1hr Jan 24, 2024
1hr
460: An Elastic and Impressive Moment in Jazz
A rundown of impressive recent releases and a look at who benefits (and suffers) when artists working outside formal jazz idioms are lumped into conversations about the genre. Guests: Marcus J. Moore and Giovanni Russonello.
57m Jan 19, 2024
57m
459: Popcast (Deluxe): Lil Nas X, Ariana Grande and 21 Savage Kick Off 2024
Pop’s premier troll returns while one of its biggest voices turns her attention to gossip, and the first blockbuster rap album of the year arrives.
50m Jan 17, 2024
50m
458: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Saltburn,’ Jacob Elordi and the New Heartthrob Era
Plus: Barry Keoghan’s “Murder on the Dancefloor,” Jeremy Allen White’s stripped-down moment and Nathan Fielder’s “The Curse” wraps up.
1hr 4m Jan 11, 2024
1hr 4m
457: What Did We Learn From a Year in Live Shows?
Concerts paused during the height of the pandemic, and returned at full power in 2023. Our pop music editor saw a lot of them. Guest: Caryn Ganz
44m Jan 10, 2024
44m
456: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and the Sphere: The Year in Live Music
The touring business saw record revenue in 2023 and major tours made news, but fans still struggle with ticket prices and access — and political leaders are watching. Guest: Ben Sisario.
49m Dec 23, 2023
49m
455: Popcast (Deluxe): The Kid Mero on the Viral Characters of 2023
The comedian and podcaster known as the Kid Mero on the year in internet domination, including Ice Spice, Keith Lee, the Weeknd, Kai Cenat and more.
1hr 7m Dec 20, 2023
1hr 7m
454: Chatting About the Best Songs of 2023
The most impactful tracks of the year come from different genres and generations — and not all of them are traditional songs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
1hr 1m Dec 15, 2023
1hr 1m
453: Jelly Roll: The Popcast (Deluxe) Interview
An emotional conversation with one of the year’s biggest breakout stars about turning his life around and transitioning from Southern rap to country hitmaking.
1hr 10m Dec 13, 2023
1hr 10m
452: The Albums That Defined 2023? Let’s Discuss.
Our critics debate their year-end lists (and agree on SZA, Olivia Rodrigo and 100 gecs!) in a wrap-up of the year in LPs. Guests: Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz.
55m Dec 09, 2023
55m
451: Popcast (Deluxe): Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ Movie Shows All the Work
Discussing the singer’s new concert film that documents the Renaissance World Tour, interspersed with behind-the-scenes looks at how it came to be.
1hr 9m Dec 06, 2023
1hr 9m
450: Jung Kook, BTS and English Language K-Pop
A conversation about K-pop’s long march to American awareness, and the potential risks of that embrace. Guest: Kara.
46m Dec 01, 2023
46m
449: Popcast (Deluxe): Can Rap Bridge Its Generation Gap?
Is it possible for rappers to age gracefully? Where are the new stars? A discussion on the state of the genre and where it may be heading.
1hr 14m Nov 29, 2023
1hr 14m
448: André 3000’s Experiments With Flutes and Fame
The acclaimed rapper’s first solo album contains no rapping. What does this sharp creative turn reveal about its maker? Guests: GQ's Zach Baron, and Sadie Sartini Garner.
1hr 4m Nov 25, 2023
1hr 4m
447: Popcast (Deluxe): Mailbag! The Beatles, Taylor Swift and More
Taking viewer and listener questions on hot topics in pop music.
54m Nov 22, 2023
54m
446: Popcast (Deluxe): What Is Going On With the Grammy Nominations?
Dissecting the contenders for the 2024 Grammy Awards, including top nominations for SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, boygenius, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Jon Batiste. Plus: Nathan Fielder's "The Curse."
1hr 6m Nov 15, 2023
1hr 6m
445: PinkPantheress Leaves the Bedroom for the Wider Pop World
A conversation about the 22-year-old singer, songwriter and producer’s new album and the art of sampling. Guests: Kemi Alemoru and Lindsay Zoladz.
52m Nov 10, 2023
52m
444: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Priscilla’ and ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Plumb Heartbreak
Breaking down Sofia Coppola’s new film, an impressionistic take on Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s relationship, plus: the surprising depth of a reality TV spinoff.
1hr 7m Nov 08, 2023
1hr 7m
443: Noah Kahan’s Rootsy Rock Revival
Revisiting the rustic mainstream sound of the early 2010s, the Vermont singer-songwriter has broken through with “Stick Season.” Guests: Vox's Rebecca Jennings and Billboard's Jason Lipshutz.
48m Nov 03, 2023
48m
442: Popcast (Deluxe): Is the Pop Music Machine Stuck in Place?
With certain headliners hogging up space, where are the new stars? We checked in on recent hits from the radio, streaming services and TikTok.
1hr 7m Nov 01, 2023
1hr 7m
441: Who Is Troye Sivan Now?
A conversation about the pop star’s evolution on his new album, “Something to Give Each Other,” and the ceilings he may still face as an openly gay male performer. Guests: Harry Tafaya and Shaad D’Souza.
40m Oct 27, 2023
40m
440: Popcast (Deluxe): The Britney Spears Memoir + ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Reacting to “The Woman in Me,” the new book by Spears, and Martin Scorsese’s latest film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Lily Gladstone.
1hr 2m Oct 25, 2023
1hr 2m
439: Drake Takes On All Comers
The rapper’s new album, “For All the Dogs,” has stirred debate about maturity and misogyny, and led to questions about the next phase of his career. Guests: The Ringer's Justin Charity and Pitchfork's Dylan Green.
46m Oct 20, 2023
46m
438: Popcast (Deluxe): Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Movie + Bad Bunny Returns
A conversation about Swift’s concert film documenting her summer stadium sojourn. Plus: The new album “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana.”
1hr 2m Oct 18, 2023
1hr 2m
437: Do We Need Album Reviews Anymore?
A conversation about the history — and future — of album reviews in an increasingly fraught environment for music journalism and criticism.
48m Oct 12, 2023
48m
436: Popcast (Deluxe): Drake’s New Album Courts New Enemies
A discussion about “For All the Dogs” and the fever-pitch online discourse around Drake, his career and his public persona. Plus: reality TV drama.
1hr 7m Oct 11, 2023
1hr 7m
435: Maren Morris: The (Deluxe) Interview
In a guest appearance, the country-pop singer discusses her recent decision to step back from country music because of Nashville’s poor track record of tolerance and diversity.
1hr 5m Oct 04, 2023
1hr 5m
434: Zach Bryan Begins Building His Village
A conversation about the singer-songwriter’s post-politics approach to stardom, his dogged work ethic and his artistic coalition with fellow dissidents.
59m Sep 29, 2023
59m
433: Popcast (Deluxe): Doja Cat’s Rap Renaissance + Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce
Breaking down Doja Cat’s surprising new album, “Scarlet,” plus: Swift’s foray into football and Hasan Minhaj’s fibs.
1hr 4m Sep 27, 2023
1hr 4m
432: Remembering Jimmy Buffett, Beach Bum Bard
A conversation about how the musician, who died this month at 76, turned a way of life into a song — and that song back into a very profitable way of life. Guest: Jon Pareles
39m Sep 21, 2023
39m
431: Popcast (Deluxe): Ice Spice’s Munchkin Drink + Jann Wenner Backlash
Plus: what it’s like in Sean Combs’s sauna.
1hr Sep 20, 2023
1hr
432: Popcast (Deluxe): Breaking Down Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Guts,’ Part 2
A deep dive into who the singer’s new songs are about — or if it matters. Plus: Zach Bryan’s breakthrough and recent arrest.
1hr 11m Sep 13, 2023
1hr 11m
433: Olivia Rodrigo’s Songs About Growing Pains
The 20-year-old singer-songwriter returns with “Guts,” an album informed by the opportunities and costs of her rapid rise. Guests: Caryn Ganz and Lindsay Zoladz.
52m Sep 12, 2023
52m
428: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Bottoms,’ ‘Hard Knocks’ & Uncovering Rap History
What we watched (and read!) this summer.
1hr 8m Sep 06, 2023
1hr 8m
427: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 2
A conversation about Swift’s relationship to celebrity, the tour date as destination event and how fans dressed up for the show. Guests: Caryn Ganz, Vrinda Jagota and Josh Duboff.
1hr 15m Sep 05, 2023
1hr 15m
426: Popcast (Deluxe) Mailbag: Selena Gomez, BTS and Doja Cat!
Listener (and viewer!) questions on some recent releases, also including Renee Rapp, Earl Sweatshirt and Zach Bryan.
1hr 7m Aug 30, 2023
1hr 7m
425: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Speed Round, Part 1
A conversation about how the concert relates to Beyoncé’s stadium show, the role of dance in Swift’s spectacular and more. Guests: Wesley Morris, Brian Seibert and Bandsplain's Yasi Salek.
1hr 4m Aug 29, 2023
1hr 4m
424: Popcast (Deluxe): A Shocking No. 1 Hit and Addison Rae’s New EP
The rapid rise of Oliver Anthony Music’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” plus: the playful pop of the TikTok star Addison Rae.
1hr 4m Aug 23, 2023
1hr 4m
423: Dead & Company Said Farewell, but the Scene Is Very Alive
One of jam’s most definitive bands is still attracting new recruits, and younger generations are finding comfort in its community. Guests: Jambase's Scott Bernstein; and Marc Tracy.
58m Aug 22, 2023
58m
422: Popcast (Deluxe): Is There Such a Thing as the Song of the Summer?
Tracks by Morgan Wallen, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift and more have dominated this summer — or at least attempted to.
1hr 7m Aug 16, 2023
1hr 7m
421: Popcast (Deluxe): Lizzo, Travis Scott and the Limits of Persona
What can pop stars get away with? Plus: the deaths of Sinead O’Connor and Angus Cloud.
1hr 6m Aug 09, 2023
1hr 6m
420: The Raw Art and Life of Sinead O’Connor
A conversation about her unlikely pop fame, complex relationship to stardom and powerful, signature music. Guests: Alfred Soto and Amanda Hess.
1hr Aug 03, 2023
1hr
419: Popcast (Deluxe): Our Favorite Albums of the Year So Far
Peso Pluma, Ice Spice, Skrillex, 100 gecs and more.
1hr 1m Aug 02, 2023
1hr 1m
418: Jason Aldean’s Culture War Hit
After the country star’s “Try That in a Small Town” video was criticized as offensive, right-wing support sent the song to No. 2 on the singles chart. Guests: The Tennessean's Marcus K. Dowling; the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Amanda Marie Martinez
47m Jul 28, 2023
47m
417: Popcast (Deluxe): ‘Barbie,’ Jason Aldean’s Culture War and Drake’s Tour
Plus: Violent J in our 50 Rappers, 50 Stories project, new songs and new snacks.
1hr 16m Jul 26, 2023
1hr 16m
416: 50 Rappers, 50 Stories: Behind the Scenes
A look at how we assembled a sweeping collection of personal narratives, and the threads that tie them together. Guests: Joe Coscarelli, Elena Bergeron and Keith Murphy.
58m Jul 23, 2023
58m
415: Popcast (Deluxe): Fans Misbehaving at Concerts, and Pinkydoll’s NPC TikTok
Plus: Music from Troye Sivan and Militarie Gun (as performed by Post Malone).
1hr 8m Jul 19, 2023
1hr 8m